Commercial and Cultural Hub plans submitted

Plans to create a new commercial and cultural hub on the site of the former market hall, have been submitted.

The 3-part proposal includes a pavilion providing a multipurpose community asset in an open plan configuration to encourage creative exhibitions, markets, and community use during the day, evenings, and weekends.

The separate commercial building will provide much needed high-quality office space, a new food and drink outlet on the ground floor and a roof top restaurant, all adding to the night time economy and bringing more people to the high street.

Surrounding these buildings will be the open public space which includes opening-up and re-naturalising the Spadesbourne Brook, public seating and landscaping.

Designed by Worcester-based One Creative and project managed by Arcadis, a large proportion of the project is funded by government cash following a successful bid by Bromsgrove District Council and North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWedR).

In October 2021 £14.5 million of Levelling Up Funds awarded to the council brought the plans for the former market hall site and other separate town centre enhancements a step closer. LUF monies can only be spent on the projects highlighted in the bid which includes the former market hall site. Earlier this year the plans were revealed to the public as part of the consultation process.

Deputy Leader Sue Baxter who is also Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “What an exciting milestone and I want to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and gave their views.

“These next steps are vital to the future regeneration of Bromsgrove and I am pleased we have taken our time to get to this point, by listening to our residents, partners and stakeholders.”

The development will create better connectivity between and within key retail and leisure sites and the whole development will achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating (BREEAM is the world's leading science-based method of assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability of buildings).

Materials for the buildings are long-lasting and the public realm, although a site for bio-diversity with lots of greenery, has also been designed with anti-social behaviour in mind, creating a safe space for everyone to enjoy.

For the last four years BirdBox, an event and community space has been utilised at the site and is set to be replaced by the new development, subject to planning approval.

Council Leader Karen May said: “Having been at the opening of BirdBox I am very sad it’s the end of that era – however this new development literally will ‘bring the outside in’ which means the community and events space will not be hampered by our weather. If planning permission is granted, a whole new chapter awaits Bromsgrove.”

Plans have been submitted by NWedR on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council for determination by the Local Planning Authority, subject to which works could start in Summer 2024.

Please visit Bromsgrove District Council's market hall regeneration page or follow the council’s social media for more details.